Princess Principal – 10

We are given an insight into the agent production process through an institution known as ‘The Farm’, which clearly takes inspiration from one of the CIA’s training camps. It’s pretty telling that Ange, Dorothy and Prefect were the last surviving members of their graduating class. Fast-forward to the present day, and we have an operation for all three of them to retrieve some sensitive documents. Only this mission is actually a subtext to investigate whether Prefect has become a double agent.

It’s not secret that the world of spies is extremely cut-throat, cold, and uncaring world. However, it is not entirely devoid of positive emotions either. The pathetic fallacy of the snow may have set a somber tone, but it warmed my heart to see the love and affection Prefect had towards Dorothy, for being a shining light in a life full of darkness. When I rewatcheed the episode to gather screencaps, I couldn’t help but notice how the only occasions Prefect smiled were in the presence of Dorothy. That tiny warmth amidst a cold winter quickly became despair, when Prefect shot herself through the head, in order to save Dorothy the pain of having to kill a friend. Needless to say, it was pretty heartbreaking to watch. This actually made me think back to a scene from Puella Magi Madoka Magica :

If Homura didn’t pull the trigger to prevent Madoka from becoming a witch, I wonder if Madoka probably would have shot herself too?

Why did Prefect have to die? Examining the evidence, the Kingdom seemed to have her on a leash with some kind of drug she built a dependence on. During her quick break in the bathroom, we can see the extreme effects it has upon her health, as her complexion seemed hugely deteriorated. While I really want to hear an explanation for these syringes and whatever is inside them, let that be a lesson to y’all. Don’t take drugs! I’m telling ya, it’s not worth it.

Concluding Thoughts

Though unfortunate third parties have always been caught up in the struggles between the Kingdom and the Commonwealth, this episode served as a grim reminder for the kind of gnarly demise one might expect to befall those dabbling in espionage at the highest level. Prefect became a sacrificial lamb to get this message across, and I really approve of how they went about executing it. To be honest, I expected Ange to shoot the gun out of her hand. So when Prefect pulled the trigger and ended her life, I ended up feeling quite shaken.

Now that a military general is in control of the Commonwealth faction, I’m starting to suspect that in actuality, the Duke of Normandy has been secretly pulling the strings behind everything. With the order to eliminate the Princess coming through, that makes my suspicion even more likely, and things begin to look dire for the Princess as her situation looks precarious. Despite maintaining a perfect poker face, I’m certain that Ange will betray the Kingdom in order to protect the Princess. If Dorothy couldn’t even put her allegiance to the Commonwealth aside for a friend like Prefect, I’m seriously doubting her ability to show up when her friends need her. But hopefully, Prefect’s death have sown the seeds of disillusionment, that will culminate in Dorothy’s defection. The turning of cogs of change signify that greater machinations are afoot, as the curtains soon look set to dramatically close upon a stage engulfed by mystery and excitement.

This series is really difficult to watch at times. The episode with Dorothy’s father might as well have been a page right from my own childhood. My own da had lost his leg and never recovered emotionally from it. My own mum took her life as well because of the abuse we suffered from him. I loved watching Precure because I could imagine my twin sister and I in this perfect world/family where everything was ok at the end of the episode. Now, I am watching an anime that is more real and true to life than I thought was possible. Funny how that can be isn’t it? People always make fun of me for watching anime, saying how childish it is, but these childish cartoons can be more real than any drama on the BBC. I’m not sure if that is a good thing or bad but that’s how life goes right? Treasure each moment and enjoy what makes you (not someone else) happy even if it does make you cry at times (like this series does). Sorry everyone! I think I sort of murked the mood here!

Tepenga, nothing wrong with sharing your own experiences! You didn’t murk the mood at all, and through sharing your own unique experiences, it really adds an extra dimension into how Princess Principal is perceived by others who read your comment. Fictional mediums can serve as both a reflection of our own lives, and an outlet to escape from it. There’s no shame in making your way through life, because not many people can claim to have endured the hardships you’ve experienced.

I like my BBC dramas (Doctor Who, Merlin, Torchwood, etc.), and they formed a staple in my childhood, which actually didn’t feature much anime. But it’s undeniable that Clannad: After Story is the only piece of fiction to have deeply resonated with my own personal experiences even to this day, and I rank it as the most transformative discovery I made during my teenage years. Don’t let the haters get you down! People who make fun of anime for being childish are entitled to their own opinions, but it’s clear they don’t understand. After all, it would be analogous to saying that books or films as a whole are childish, which is quite ignorant if you ask me.

Precure is one of the best anime franchises; nothing wrong with watching it to this day; I know i do. A series that shouts on the top of its lungs that you can be girly and badass??? that they’re not mutually exclusive character traits like some people mistakenly think?? you bet your ass i can get behind a message like that. Precure has been an awesome part of growing up on anime and it still is to this day. The original precure was where it was at!!!

lol, I wanted to be Nagisa Misumi so badly! I had even cut my hair (much to everyones shock) to try and look like her. Everything was Cure Black for me until Cure Melody came along and stole me away lol

Hahaha that’s actually cute; i had my moments trying to emulate certain characteristics of my favorite anime. I remember buying swimming goggles and wearing them on my head to school thinking i was just as cool as taichi from digimon; Ohhhh childhood

I’m still in love with dressing up much to my sisters eternal embarrassment. Umaru Doma from Himouto! Umaru-chan and Z-chan from Robot Girls Z are my favourites to do. I suppose since I am still in my childhood I can get away with it lol. I’ve been begging my sister to make me Ange’s spy outfit. I just adore the dress and top hat.

I’m guessing this had been hinted all along. Remember the OP where Ange C-balls out from the car and turns around and points the gun at them? This might be it. Or to be more optimistic, what are the odds of all of them getting the burn notice?

It was really tough to watch Prefect pulling the trigger, but what got me were the words she said beforehand. Something she said, that will stick with me for a long time, is how she still dreamt about going to the funfair with Dorothy even till the moment she died. Clinging onto happy memories in moments like that usually prove to be powerful, and I definitely shed a tear or two.

Grim and sad, I never expected them to show the entirety of the shot. That makes things worse, the full horror of it all. Miraculously, I managed to sleep through it, but the image will forever be chained to my mind

Hopefully they continue this chapter soon. I also hope we don’t end up with Dorothy and Ange trying to kill each other.

Even though Ange did promise in chapter 1 to kill the Princess IF she betrays them, for once, she wouldn’t be lying if she doesn’t follow through with the assassination order. The Princess hasn’t betrayed them from what we’ve seen so far. Agent L’s sudden replacement also doesn’t give much confidence in the order. The general wasn’t even part of the command group and here he goes giving the order to terminate a reliable and trusted part of the team. Sounds like a recipe for mutiny.

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